Polyacrylamide (PAM, CAS 9003-05-8) is sold by dozens of suppliers in a bewildering range of grades. Buyers who focus only on price often end up with the wrong ionic type or an inconsistent product that performs differently from batch to batch. This purchasing guide covers the specification sheet, the COA, packaging, storage and the supplier checklist for PAM.
1. Reading the PAM Specification Sheet
| Parameter | Typical value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ionic type | Anionic / cationic / nonionic | The single most important selection parameter |
| Ionicity (charge density) | e.g. 10-40% | Controls charge neutralization strength |
| Molecular weight | e.g. 8-20 million | Controls bridging strength |
| Solid content (powder) | 88-92% | Determines effective dose |
| Residual acrylamide monomer | 0.05% max (food grade: much lower) | Critical for food/drinking-water/agricultural use |
| Dissolution time | 30-90 minutes | Affects plant handling and make-up equipment |
2. What a Complete COA Should Contain
- Product name and CAS number (9003-05-8)
- Batch number, production date and expiry
- Ionic type and ionicity (measured)
- Molecular weight (or viscosity as a proxy)
- Solid content and moisture
- Residual acrylamide monomer (measured) — the safety-critical value
- Dissolution time and appearance
- Test methods and quality manager signature
3. Packaging, Storage and Shelf Life
- Packaging: typically 25 kg laminated bags with inner liner; keep bags sealed until use.
- Storage: dry, cool, sealed. Moisture causes lumping and performance loss; humidity is the enemy of PAM powder.
- Shelf life: typically 12-24 months when stored properly; rotate stock (FIFO).
- Handling: PAM powder is slippery when wet and dusty when handled — use dust control and keep floors dry.
4. How to Verify Quality on Arrival
- Check bag integrity and labels against the COA batch number.
- Visual check: powder should be free-flowing, white, without lumps.
- Dissolution test: a small sample should dissolve within the stated time in clean water at 0.1% without gel lumps.
- Viscosity check: measure solution viscosity and compare with the COA (it correlates with molecular weight).
- Run a jar test against your existing batch on the same water.
- Keep a retained sample per batch.
5. Supplier Checklist
- Manufacturer vs trader — manufacturers control grade consistency and price.
- Consistent COA with measured residual monomer on every batch.
- Grade selection support — can they recommend the right ionic type and molecular weight for your process?
- Stable supply and reasonable lead times.
- Export documentation (COA, MSDS, certificate of origin) and packaging suited to your climate.
6. FAQ
What is the difference between powder and emulsion PAM?
Powder has higher active content (88-92%) and lower shipping cost but needs a proper make-up unit. Emulsion (typically 30-50% active) dissolves faster and is easier to handle but costs more to ship per kg of active polymer.
How do I know which ionicity I need?
Run jar tests with a few grades, or measure the charge demand of your water. Suppliers usually provide guidance and free samples for testing.
Is PAM a dangerous good?
PAM powder is generally not classified as dangerous goods for transport, but confirm the SDS and check dust explosion precautions in storage and handling.
Can I get a trial sample?
Yes. PolyblueChem offers trial samples so you can validate the grade on your water before ordering bulk volumes.
PolyblueChem supplies polyacrylamide (PAM, CAS 9003-05-8) in anionic, cationic and nonionic grades, powder and emulsion, with full COA and MSDS. See also our PAM guide and polyamine guide. Contact us for samples and quotations.